lcd

The devil wears a Hello Kitty screen sticker

It doesn't happen often, but even the diabolical Hello Kitty can commit the occasional blunder in its quest to conquer the world. Case in point: While seeking to control every facet of our lives, from finances to driving, its latest ploy seems to be protecting privacy with a screen shade for handheld LCDs.

But there's one thing the evil feline didn't take into account with the "Hello Kitty Mail Peeping Block and Display Protect Sticker" spotted on Shiny Shiny. It's supposed to block prying eyes from spying something sensitive or potentially embarrassing, but what … Read more

DirecTV in a suitcase for $1,499

If there's a polar opposite to satellite TV in an RV, it would be this. Not only is the "SatGo" small, but it doesn't require a stationary installation; it's so portable that it can be toted around in its own trifold carrying case.

The DirecTV system, which has a 17-inch LCD and laptop-style battery, was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show back in January but didn't have a price tag--which we suspected wouldn't exactly be a bargain. Slashgear confirmed that suspicion, saying it's now available for $1,499. And that doesn't … Read more

Will LG's 'Opus' TVs live up to their name?

"Opus" is one of those brand names that oozes money, whether it be wine, cigars or any other top-of-the-line item. So why not cash in on that cachet, which other companies have spent millions to create?

That's precisely what LG hopes to do with its new high-end series of LCD TVs by that name, which is its answer to the likes of Sony's Bravia and Sharp's Aquos. LG launched the brand in appropriate style at Christie's in Manhattan, though the effect was somewhat diluted by the presence of other LG products such as a … Read more

Relive 10th grade with locker HDTV

As many a deafened parent of pre-teen kids will tell you, Disney's High School Musical is a force to be reckoned with. It has gone well beyond its TV-movie origins to become an international phenemenon, with live shows, DVDs, CDs and maddeningly repetitive pop tunes that are driving innumerable moms and dads to the brink of insanity.

All of which makes it a perfect storm, of course, for a major merchandizing blitz. Never one to shy away from a marketing challenge, Amazon is offering a "High School Musical Wii Bundle With Microphone" next month. But Gizmodo notes … Read more

Showcase your TV without a fireplace

As flat-screen TVs continue to evolve, so does the design of furnishings around them--some less successfully than others, as evidenced by the combo TV fireplace. And, as is to be expected, the Italians are leading the way.

Bruno Fattorini is the latest designer to meld form and function with this TV panel from MDF Italia, which BornRich says is equipped to flush-mount plasmas and LCDs in sizes from 37 to 50 inches. It comes in such finishes as anthracite gray and anodized aluminum. This isn't just an updated '70s wall unit in faux oak veneer.

We eagerly await the … Read more

Dual vertical LCDs when you can only go up

From our experience with such previous postings as the multiple mutant monitors, we know now that there's no such thing as two many screens for many Cravers out there. And if they're built into a dual touch-screen laptop, all the better.

But what if you want a more conventional keyboard set-up while saving footprint space on your desk? An outfit called Neuro Logic Systems, which has made products primarily for the medical field, has developed what it calls "the the world's first dual 19-inch LCD in a vertical format." It's not exactly portable, as … Read more

Samsung LCDs promise six-figure contrast

(Update 11-14-07) Since this post first published, we have reviewed the 46-inch model from each series described below. For complete details check out the full reviews of the Samsung LN-T4671F and the Samsung LN-T4681F . For further information on the company's less-expensive lineup of flat-panel LCD HDTVs, check out our roundup.

Samsung LN-T71F series

The big step-up feature for this series is a 120Hz refresh rate, which is said to cut down on the motion blur sometimes seen by sharp-eyed viewers in fast-moving scenes -- although in our tests of 60Hz LCDs, motion blur hasn't been an issue. Samsung'… Read more

Why HDTV prices don't matter as much as you thought

According to a report from iSuppli market research, LCD prices may be rising in the coming weeks due to limited supply and increasing demand. And while this may be big news in and of itself, some are suspect of the effect higher prices will have on the marketplace. As far as I can tell, the effect will be minimal at best.

As many are well aware, plasma HDTVs tend to offer a superior picture for sets measuring over 42 inches. For most HDTVs under 42 inches, LCDs take the day. And while there are some nice 50-inch LCDs and beautiful … Read more

70-inch PC-TV has touch screen too

So you've been bitten by the touch-screen bug, unlike us, and want a combo PC-TV as well? And nothing less than a 70-inch LCD will do? My, what demanding Cravers we are.

Then feast your greedy eyes on this all-in-one beast from GPNC Korea, which supports full HDTV and has wireless Internet access--just switch from TV to PC by way of the remote. It also includes a wireless keyboard that's dwarfed by the size of this monstrous screen (check out the photo from PClaunches for a comparison).

Alas, we have no information on price or availability, but that'… Read more

Displays have a long way to go

Today I take my lead from a Reuters article that describes two alternative display technologies that may some day replace (or at least augment) LCDs in mainstream computer systems.

Both are on the market today. OLED (organic light-emitting display) technology, used on some cellphones, creates what amounts to an array of tiny LEDs. This approach is theoretically superior to the way LCDs work, which is to combine a white backlight with colored filters and tiny shutters (the liquid crystals) for each pixel. All the light generated by the OLED is visible to the user, but most of the light in … Read more